“I’m very pleased for him, for United and for us,” said Hodgson of Rooney’s new deal.

“It’s an advantage, no doubt, and I’m pleased for everyone concerned.

“He’s a massive football man. Football is his life. There are plenty of other players we have at the moment who are 33, 34 and are still going strong, still doing good jobs for their club and country, so why not Wayne?

“In terms of international goals he’s definitely up there. We would want him to get the record..”

ONCE STEVIE GOES HE'LL BE THERE: Hogdson thinks when Steven Gerrard retires from international duty Rooney will nominate himself to be the next England captain [GETTY]

But Hodgson was not happy yesterday with the new ‘week of football’ for the Euro qualifiers, which will see his side play two games each on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with one match also scheduled for a Tuesday and one on a Thursday.

“For national teams, you don’t have to be a statistician or a rocket scientist to work out it’s getting harder for us,” he said.

“We don’t really get the time with the players we would like.”‬

Meanwhile, Hodgson confirmed he will bringing in British cycling performance director Dave Brailsford in May to give a motivational talk before this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

“He’s prepared a team of British cyclists to win gold medals and he may be able to give the players a feel for how he’s done that,” added the Three Lions boss.